Efficient formation of C and C hydrocarbons from cellulose over Pt/Mg-doped ZrO catalysts without hydrogen addition.

At low temperatures, C and C hydrocarbons (equivalent to propane gas) were produced using only water, a solid catalyst, and cellulose, employing no enzymes or expensive, valuable hydrogen. High C + C yields were achieved using a catalyst doped with Mg as a base site in ZrO, which has Lewis acid and base properties, supported with Pt, which has high hydrocarbon production capacity. After screening and characterisation of this catalyst using various values of parameters such as the amount of Mg doping and the amount of Pt loading, findings indicated that 1 wt% Pt caused moderate decarbonylation and dehydration, and that the ZrMgO support promoted cellulose degradation by its Lewis acid-base properties. The reaction mechanism was investigated, clarifying the C and C hydrocarbon formation mechanisms.